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On Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in the Cannon Activities Center, Elder Jeffery R. Holland, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and member of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University–Hawaii, formally installed Dr. John S.K. Kauwe III as BYU–Hawaii’s eleventh president. The Inauguration Ceremony included a musical number from the BYU–Hawaii Concert Choir and greetings from representatives from the community, faculty, students, and alumni. The ceremony also included remarks from Elder Clark G. Gilbert, General Authority Seventy of the Church and commissioner of the Church Educational System, and Elder Holland. Read the full recap of the inauguration.

"For ye are all children of God. For ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:26,28

Get to Know President John S.K. Kauwe III

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Biography

John S.K. Kauwe III is the eleventh president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii. He assumed the presidency in July 2020. He is a professor of Biology at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo where he served previously as the chair of the Biology Department and as Dean of Graduate Studies.
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Inauguration Ceremony Videos

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Inauguration Speeches

2021 Inauguration Community Greeting

By Cy M. Bridges October 19, 2021
2021 Inauguration Community Greeting | Cy M. Bridges

Kupuna from Laie, Cy M. Bridges, gives a greeting to President Kauwe and oli in the Hawaiian language.

2021 Inauguration Faculty Greeting

By Tevita Kaili October 19, 2021
2021 Inauguration Faculty Greeting | October 19, 2021

"President Kauwe, we, as faculty, will seek for unity, diversity, inclusion, and equity to navigate our university to a new academic harbor under your wise leadership as the first Native Hawaiian president and the eleventh president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii."

2021 Inauguration Student Greeting

By Savaira Veikoso October 19, 2021
2021 Inauguration Student Greeting | Savaira Veikoso

"President and Sister Kauwe, we love you and look up to you as the captains of our ship, the chiefs of our village, the commanders of our army, and the parents of our family."

2021 Inauguration Alumni Greeting

By Justina Tavana October 19, 2021
2021 Inauguration Alumni Greeting by Justina Tavana | October 19, 2021

"If I had to describe the Kauwes in one word, it would be LOVE. The Kauwes love you. Their love for you is evident in the way that they serve. They pray for you and your families. Everything they do is to ensure your happiness and success."

Prepared by the Lord

By Clark G. Gilbert October 19, 2021
Inauguration talk by Clark G. Gilbert | October 19, 2021

"Today we inaugurate a bright, educated, and administratively capable president, but above all we inaugurate a president who wants to do what the Lord directs him to do. President Kauwe is interested in the future of this school as he receives prophetic guidance."

Together, We Must Continue His Work

By John S.K. Kauwe III October 19, 2021
Inauguration talk by John S. K. Kauwe III | October 19, 2021

"I testify to you that this university is a vital part of God’s work on earth. He has established it through His prophets to educate His children and help them make and keep sacred covenants. Through honoring those covenants, we learn more of our Savior, grow closer to Him, and become more like Him."

Presidential Charge Given to President John “Keoni” S. K. Kauwe III

By Jeffrey R. Holland October 19, 2021
Presidential Charge by Jeffrey R. Holland | October 19, 2021

"I confer upon you all the rights, responsibilities, authority, and prerogatives necessary to act as the university’s chief executive officer, institutional spokesman, and overseer of its assets."

A Historic and Special Day

By Jeffrey R. Holland October 19, 2021
Inauguration talk by Jeffrey R. Holland | October 19, 2021

"Those great purposes of BYU–Hawaii will demand the very best of us. They will demand the very best of Keoni Kauwe. We have looked far and wide to find the very best to lead out in this next chapter of the quest."